In a letter to Panetta, Sen. Jim Inhofe of Oklahoma said department rules bar service members from participating in political activities while in uniform and pressed Panetta on why a waiver was granted, who requested it and why it was considered over others.

Inhofe, who serves on the Armed Services Committee, also pointed out that administrative action has been taken against service members who have violated the rule.

"If the Navy can punish a chaplain for participating in a pro-life event or a Marine participating in a political rally, it stands to reason that the Defense Department should maintain the same standard and preclude service members in uniform from marching in a gay pride parade," Inhofe wrote.

In a statement accompanying the letter, Inhofe said he was concerned that the Obama administration "continues to force its liberal social agenda on the military by promoting the homosexual agenda, mandating the use of high-cost green energy initiatives, pursuing abortion rights and suppressing the free exercise of religious liberties."

On Saturday, dozens of soldiers, sailors and Marines in uniform marched alongside an old Army truck with a "Freedom to Serve" banner and a rainbow flag. Dozens of military personnel in civilian clothes joined them.

The Pentagon had advised all its branches that it was making an exception for the San Diego parade even though its policy prohibits service members from marching in uniform in political parades. The department said it made the exception because organizers had encouraged military personnel to march in their uniform and the event was getting national attention.

The waiver only applied to this year’s parade in San Diego.

Rep. J. Randy Forbes, R-Va., a member of the House Armed Services Committee, issued a statement condemning the waiver.

"I am calling on the Defense Department to halt these dangerous exceptions to policy for political purposes," Forbes said. "This decision was an outrageous and blatantly political determination issued solely to advance this administration’s social agenda."

The administration, with the backing of Congress, ended the policy barring gays to serve openly in the military. Nevertheless, several Republicans in Congress have been critical of the change in policy and have pushed legislation to limit the new policy.

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Comments

Anonymous, 2012-07-25 12:28:25

Is being gay and showing pride really political? Are we now an actual party? Please, someone (other than a psycho-Christian bible freak) tell me.

Anonymous, 2012-07-25 16:58:26

Someone is crying wolf here. They can wear their uniforms to battle, but can’t wear it to be themselves?

Marc , 2012-07-26 03:57:22

Pride marches can be very political. The military is supposed to stay out of politics. And that rule has served our country well. As service can participate openly gay men and women, there is no reason for them to wear their uniforms. If they do that is fine with me. I would like to see it. But, then as Inhofe argues the Pentagon then has to be consistent. Better for the military to just stay out of politics across the board.

Anonymous, 2012-07-26 10:22:48

Question? Can the service members wear the uniform if in other parades? I don’t know let’s say an easter parade. If so its no different. A parade is a celebration and should be allowed to be enjoyed by all attending. Including those who protect our freedom to have the parade in the first place.

Anonymous, 2012-07-26 16:24:13

It’s a celebration of the removal of a policy that didn’t allow us to exist as whole, mature adults! An outrage!!!

Wayne Madden, 2012-07-27 23:06:10

Senator Inhofe and MisRepresentative Forbes are mistaken. Participation in a Gay Pride Parade is not necessarily a political statement. In this case, it is a statement of pride in self and and desire to serve the country.